Abstract: A strainer gasket assembly system and method is disclosed. In one example, the assembly includes a strainer barrier defined as a disk having a disk outer diameter, the strainer barrier including a plurality of openings in a predetermined pattern located within an inner area defined by a circle having a circle diameter; and a gasket positioned about an outer edge portion of the disk, the gasket having a gasket inner diameter greater than the circle diameter thereby creating a disk gap area void of any openings. In one example, the disk gap area is an annular shaped area.

Abstract: A cheese process vat is disclosed. The cheese process vat includes an enclosure and a shaft assembly, preferably a shaft assembly having a shaft and a plurality of agitator panels arranged on the shaft. The cheese process vat preferably further includes an adjustable shaft seal assembly that adjustably seals the joint between the shaft and the enclosure. Methods of using the respective cheese process vats are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cheese process vat is disclosed. The cheese process vat includes an enclosure and a shaft assembly, preferably a shaft assembly having a shaft and a plurality of agitator panels arranged on the shaft. The cheese process vat preferably further includes a shaft seal assembly having a fluid accessible clean-in-place chamber. Methods of using the respective cheese process vats are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cheese process vat is disclosed. The cheese process vat includes an enclosure and a shaft assembly, preferably a shaft assembly having a shaft and a plurality of agitator panels arranged on the shaft in a planar fashion. The agitator panels are preferably arranged on the shaft such that the shaft assembly is balanced in both weight and agitator panel surface area around the centerline of the shaft.

Abstract: A cheese process vat is disclosed. The cheese process vat includes an enclosure and a shaft assembly, preferably a shaft assembly having a shaft and a plurality of agitator panels arranged on the shaft. The preferred cheese process vat includes a plurality of rennet solution injection assemblies to inject rennet solution into the contents of the vat such that the rennet solution sufficiently pierces the surface of the fluid contents of the vat so that the rennet solution is mixed and distributed more efficiently.

Abstract: A cheese process vat is disclosed. The cheese process vat includes an enclosure and a shaft assembly, preferably a shaft assembly having a shaft and a plurality of agitator panels arranged on the shaft in a planar fashion. The agitator panels are preferably arranged on the shaft such that the shaft assembly is balanced in both weight and agitator panel surface area around the centerline of the shaft.

Abstract: A cheese process vat is disclosed. The cheese process vat includes an enclosure and a shaft assembly, preferably a shaft assembly having a shaft and a plurality of agitator panels arranged on the shaft. The cheese process vat preferably further includes an adjustable shaft seal assembly that adjustably seals the joint between the shaft and the enclosure. The adjustable seal has separate shaft and face seals. Methods of using the respective cheese process vats are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cheese process vat is disclosed. The cheese process vat includes an enclosure and a shaft assembly, preferably a shaft assembly having a shaft and a plurality of agitator panels arranged on the shaft. The cheese process vat preferably further includes a shaft seal assembly having a fluid accessible clean-in-place chamber. Methods of using the respective cheese process vats are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cheese process vat is disclosed. The cheese process vat includes an enclosure and a shaft assembly, preferably a shaft assembly having a shaft and a plurality of agitator panels arranged on the shaft. The cheese process vat preferably further includes an adjustable shaft seal assembly that adjustably seals the joint between the shaft and the enclosure. Methods of using the respective cheese process vats are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the final containerization of bulk cheese discharged from a vertical cheese forming tower operates with variant methods to accommodate direct filling of the final container or preliminary filling for transfer to the final container. In accordance with both methods, initial filling utilizes a false bottom container which allows the cheese section to be lowered into the container for sealing and either final closure or inversion and transfer to another final container such as a fixed bottom steel barrel. Both methods utilize a step of placing a closure over the open top of the initially filled container, and an inverting step to expose the opposite end of the container for a final closure. Common apparatus may be used in the system of the present invention to accommodate either embodiment of the containerization method.

Abstract: An apparatus for matting and milling cheese curd. A mixture of curds and whey is fed onto a porous endless belt of a first conveyor to form a layer of curds with the whey draining through the belt. As the leading end of the curd layer reaches the downstream end of the first conveyor, the speed of the first conveyor is reduced to match the speed of a second conveyor which is located at a slightly lower level than the first conveyor, so that the curd layer is transferred from the first conveyor to the second conveyor while the conveyors are operating at the same speed. A third conveyor is positioned beneath the second conveyor and operates at the same speed as the second conveyor. As the curd layer is transferred to the third conveyor it is inverted. A fourth conveyor is positioned beneath the downstream end of the third conveyor and the curd layer is transferred to the fourth conveyor while the fourth conveyor is operating at the same speed as the third conveyor.